Year of the Dragon

Six stamps to celebrate year of the dragon

On 9 February 2000 New Zealand issued six stamps to celebrate the year of the dragon in its fourth "Spirits & Guardians" issue.

Maori legends

This stamp issue depicts some of the spirits and guardians of the night, sea, forest and underworld which feature in a selection of Maori legends. Each of the six stamps tells just one interpretation of these stories.
From the female taniwha Äraiteuru, whose eleven sons are said to have created the many branches of the Hokianga Harbour, to the patupaiarehe or "fairies" that were sometimes seen on remote hilltops on misty days, these colourful creatures and the stories about them continue to live on and carve a place in Maori cultural history.

The designer Manu Smith

Manu Smith was chosen to design the stamp issue because of his knowledge of Maori culture and past experience with illustrating books and materials on Maori legends. Manu has been illustrating legends for over twenty years and his work has been included in over 70 books as well as a range of other materials including phone cards, posters and calendars. The illustrator was born in Auckland and raised in the Hokianga and South Auckland. He studied graphic design at the Auckland Technical Institute and has worked for a number of advertising agencies. At present he operates a successful freelance design business.

Technical details of the stamps

Values: 40 c, 80 c, $ 1.10, $ 1.20, $ 1.50 and $ 1.80.
Date of issue: 9 February 2000.
Size: 30 x 40 mm.
Design: Manu Smith.
Print: offset by Southern Colour Print, Dunedin.

More information

Postage Stamps 2000